KR102460051B1 - Pump assembly having a controller including a circuit board and 3d rotary sensor for detecting rotation of its pump - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a pump assembly and a method for sensing rotational motion of the pump in the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a pump, a controller and an optional driven electric motor. The components described above may be axially aligned and mountable with respect to each other. The controller includes a circuit board oriented in the axial direction of the pump assembly to face radially. A 3D rotation sensor is mounted on the circuit board, and it is configured to detect and output to the controller a movement parallel to the front surface and a movement in a plane perpendicular to the front surface, including rotational motion of the pump. The controller is configured to control the pump through controlling the motor or a drive shaft of the pump.

Description

A pump assembly comprising a controller including a circuit board, and a 3D rotation sensor for detecting rotation of the pump

Cross-referencing of related applications

This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/462,078 filed on February 22, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to a pump for providing pressurized fluid to a system. More specifically, the pump is associated with the power train and is provided with the controller board(s) in the assembly.

In some cases, it is known to provide a dedicated electric motor and a controller (with a circuit board and other electrical components) for operation of a fluid pump. 1 shows an example of a pump assembly 100 having a pump 102 , a motor 104 , and a controller 106 in axial alignment relationship.

Typically, the controller includes a printed circuit board (PCB) extending in the axial direction of the pump (along the y-axis of FIG. 1 ). For example, the PCB 108 may be provided in the housing of the controller 106 . This PCB may contain a main controller. Typically, the PCB 108 is oriented in the axial direction of the pump assembly with its major surface 112 facing radially.

In addition to the PCB 108 , a rotation sensor 114 is sometimes used to (indirectly) detect the rotational speed of the motor/pump elements. Such detection or sensing is typically performed through mounting the sensor 114 to the second circuit board. A conventional technique for mounting the second PCB 116 (shown in the form of a 1-D shaft position sensing PCB) is in a direction perpendicular to the PCB 108 . Since the rotation sensor(s) used are typically 1-D or 2-D sensors, these rotation sensors can only detect rotation of an object (eg, shaft, magnet, etc.) parallel to the major surface of the sensor. Accordingly, the major (front) side of the sensor 114 needs to face the component(s) of the rotating pump (including the motor and drive shaft), thus the second PCB 116 containing the sensor 114 . must be perpendicular to the PCB 108 .

Accordingly, most pumps have the disadvantage of requiring two circuit boards in their design. This requires a connection between the two substrates, increasing the cost as well as the cooling and operating risks.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising a pump housing, an inlet for receiving an inlet fluid, a pump outlet for discharging pressurized fluid, and a drive shaft for driving components of the pump a pump comprising: and a controller configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump. The controller has a circuit board oriented in the axial direction of the pump with its first side facing radially. A 3D rotation sensor is mounted on the first side of the circuit board. The 3D rotation sensor has a front face disposed parallel to a first side of the circuit board, such that the front face is radially oriented. The 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect and output to the controller (a) a movement parallel to the front surface and (b) a movement in a plane perpendicular to the front surface, including rotational motion of the pump.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a pump including an assembly inlet for introducing a fluid, an assembly outlet for discharging a fluid, an electric motor housed in a motor casing, and a pump housing, and connecting the electric motor to the pump. A pump assembly having a drive shaft and a controller configured to drive the electric motor is provided. The pump has an inlet for receiving an inlet fluid from the assembly inlet and a pump outlet for discharging pressurized fluid. The drive shaft is configured to be driven about an axis by the electric motor. The pump and electric motor are axially aligned with the controller. The controller includes a circuit board oriented in the axial direction of the pump assembly to face radially. The 3D rotation sensor is mounted to the circuit board such that its front face is arranged parallel to the circuit board and the front face is radially oriented. The 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect and output to the controller (a) a movement parallel to the front surface and (b) a movement in a plane perpendicular to the front surface, including rotational motion of the pump. An outlet passage communicates the pump outlet with the assembly outlet to discharge the pressurized fluid.

Another aspect provides a method of sensing rotational motion of a pump in a pump assembly. The pump assembly may be, for example, any of the configurations as mentioned above. The method includes driving a drive shaft; introducing a fluid through an inlet of the pump; pressurizing the inlet fluid using the pump; detecting the rotational operation of the pump through the 3D rotation sensor; based on detection at the 3D rotation sensor, using the controller to control pump outflow; and discharging the pressurized fluid through the outlet.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

1 shows an example of a pump assembly using a vertically positioned controller according to the prior art.
2 is a schematic diagram of features and signal processing associated with a 3-D rotation sensor, used with a circuit board in the controller portion of the embodiments disclosed herein.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a pump assembly according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pump assembly of FIG. 3 showing the axially mounted circuit board and 3D sensor adjacent the motor in its controller part/housing; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a motor and a circuit board of the pump assembly of FIG. 3 according to the present invention, schematically showing the relative arrangement of components when a sensor is used to detect characteristics of the motor;
6 is a cross-sectional view of a pump assembly according to another embodiment.
7 is a detailed view of a circuit board and a motor provided in a pump assembly, such as the pump assembly of FIG. 6, schematically illustrating the relative arrangement of components in the case of using a 3D sensor to sense characteristics of the pump and its shaft; It is a drawing showing

The use of the position, orientation, and term “side” for the controller 26 , circuit board, 3D sensor, and any components of the pump assembly 10 herein and throughout this disclosure is intended to be limiting. It is not intended, and it should be understood that these features may also be referred to as top, bottom, top, bottom, first, second, etc. in this disclosure. The location, orientation and corresponding terms are for the purpose of description, in brief, with reference to the drawings of the illustrated embodiment.

As noted in more detail below, many of the embodiments disclosed herein employ the use of a 3D rotational sensor to detect (directly or indirectly) the rotational motion of a pump. Throughout this disclosure, 3D rotation sensors are monolithic, configured to detect motion in three axes, namely the x, y and z axes, as shown generally in FIGS. 2 and 3 . It is defined as an integrated circuit (IC) sensor. In the described embodiments, a 3D rotation sensor may be used with a magnet, and since such a sensor is sensitive to magnetic flux density parallel and perpendicular to the IC sensor mounting surface, measurements of a vertically mounted magnet (eg, motion or rotation readings) can be detected.

3 shows a pump assembly 10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, with its components and housing disposed longitudinally along axis A (in the Y-direction, or along the Y-axis). Axis A is configured such that a drive shaft of pump assembly 10 (eg, drive shaft 32 of pump 22 ) rotates and drives components (pumps, motors, etc.) within the pump assembly. axis that has been The pump assembly 10 may include multiple housings and/or casings that are fastened or assembled together, or may include a single housing that receives the components and/or housings and casings disclosed herein therein. The pump assembly 10 comprises an assembly inlet 14-1 for introducing a fluid (eg oil or transmission fluid), such as a lubricant, etc., and a fluid, ie, a fluid pressurized by a pump 22 contained therein; and an assembly outlet 16-1 for outflow. In one embodiment, the direction of flow to and/or from the assembly inlet may be perpendicular to the entire axial length of the pump assembly 10 . For example, either or both inlet 14 - 1 and/or outlet 16 - 1 may be disposed in and along the Z-axis. Fluid enters the pump assembly 10 through the assembly inlet and is directed to the pump 22 through an inlet passage 14A, shown in FIG. 4 , defined by an inlet pipe. The inlet pipe has an axial length and is connected in flow relation to the pump 22 through its inlet port. Pressurized fluid from the pump 22 exits via an outlet passage 16A, also shown in FIG. 4 , defined by an outlet pipe, and through an assembly outlet 16 - 1 . The outlet pipe has an axial length and may, for example, be parallel to the inlet pipe, according to one embodiment.

The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are connected in flow relationship to the pump 22 . The pump 22 is surrounded by the hydraulic housing 24 of the pump, also referred to herein as the pump casing 24 . According to one embodiment, the pump casing 24 may be formed integrally with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe. The pump casing 24 encloses the functional pump parts therein and may be configured to receive the pumping parts as well as an outlet passage for directing the outlet flow towards the outlet passage formed in the outlet pipe.

The inlet and outlet pipes associated with the pump 22 in the pump assembly 10 may be formed of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The length of the inlet pipe 14A and/or the outlet pipe 16A is not intended to be limiting. In one embodiment, lightweight aluminum or plastic may be used for at least a portion of the length of the pipes. In addition, the length(s) of the pipe(s) may be adjusted to accommodate other components associated with the pump, such as, for example, pressure relief valves and the like, not specifically illustrated herein.

The type of the pump 22 provided in the pump assembly 10 and its components are not limited. According to one embodiment, the pump 22 has a gerotor drive, wherein the inner rotor is rotatably driven by a drive shaft 32 to rotatably drive the outer rotor. The inner rotor is fixedly fixed to the drive shaft 32 to rotate about the axis A together with the drive shaft 32 . The outer rotor 52 is rotatably housed in the pump component housing. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, rotation of the inner rotor also rotates the outer rotor through intermeshing teeth, pressurizing the incoming fluid contained in the region between the complementary parts for outflow from the pump 22, thus Such details are not described herein. In another embodiment, the pump 22 includes a plurality of vanes therein and rotates within the housing about a rotor and a pin between the first and second slide positions to adjust the displacement of the pump through the outlet. or variable vane pumps with a pivoting control slide. The drive shaft may be configured to drive a rotor of a pump, for example.

The pump 22 is associated with the power train and is provided with the controller board(s) in the pump assembly 10 . The pump assembly 10 may supply pressurized fluid, for example, to an engine and/or transmission of an automobile. A power train refers to components that generate power. According to one embodiment, the powertrain involved may simply include an engine and a transmission. In other embodiments, the associated power train may include additional components in addition to the engine and transmission - eg, drive shaft, gears, differentials. In yet another embodiment, the associated power train may include an electric motor and a controller. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand the additional parts or components that may be included in the power train, and thus the above-mentioned examples should not be considered limiting.

In the pump assembly 10 , the at least one controller 26 is housed in a controller housing part 18 or a module of the pump assembly 10 . Pump 22 and electric motor 28 are axially aligned with controller 26 on axis A; In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pump 22 and the controller 26 are provided on both sides of the electric motor 28 in the axial direction. More specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, for example, the pump 22 and its housing 24 (to be described later) on one side of the electric motor 28 and its casing 30 (for example, . as shown on the left). According to one embodiment, in this case, next to the electric motor 28 there can be a controller 26 and a pump 22 (and thus the housings of these components are arranged in the same way). However, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3 is not intended to be limiting. In one embodiment, the pump housing 24 , the motor casing 30 and the controller housing portion 18 are connected together within the pump assembly 10 . Inside the pump assembly 10 , a drive shaft 32 connects the electric motor 28 to the pump 22 . Drive shaft 32 is driven about axis A by electric motor 28 to drive the components of pump 22 . The controller 26 controls and drives the electric motor 28 to drive the drive shaft 32 . Also, as described in more detail below, the controller 26 (in particular its 3D rotation sensor) is, in one embodiment, a motor (which may or may not be the same as the drive shaft 32 of the motor 28 ). It may be arranged and configured to detect rotation of the shaft.

3 and 4 show the drive shaft 32 generally as a single shaft extending from the electric motor 28 to the pump 22, and thus the shaft ( 32) is the same shaft as described above. However, according to one embodiment, the electric motor 28 may have its own motor drive shaft connected to the pump 22 despite being configured to be driven about an axis. The electric motor 28 may be configured to drive a (separate) drive shaft of the pump 22 via the motor drive shaft.

The electric motor 28 includes a rotor 34 and a stator 36 (see FIG. 4 ). The rotor 34 is connected to the shaft 32 and is housed in the casing 30 together with the stator 36 . The motor casing 30 is generally cylindrical and the stator 36 may be fixed to the motor casing.

Pump 22 , motor 28 , and controller 26 , and their respective housings, may be secured together in pump assembly 10 via connectors, fasteners, bolts, etc., commonly known in the art.

The controller 26 of the pump assembly 10 operates or drives the electric motor 28 (eg, controls the magnetic field of the stator 36 of the motor 28 ) to control and drive the pump 22 . Consists of. 3 and 4, the controller 26 includes an electronic control unit, or ECU.

The ECU is shown here arranged longitudinally (in Y-direction) along axis A and comprises a circuit board 40 - or printed circuit board (PCB) - mounted in a housing 18 . do. The PCB may be provided in the housing portion 18 of the controller. This PCB may contain a main controller, for example. The PCB/circuit board 40 has a first side 42 (or a first side) and a second side 43 (or a second side), the second side 43 of the first side 42 . is on the opposite side. Each side 42 , 43 in the figures is shown as having an elongated, substantially flat surface configured to receive or connect a plurality of electrical and/or sensing components ( FIGS. 3 , 4 ). and FIG. 5 shows a number of components provided on each side 42 or 43, including a 3D sensor to be described later for illustrative purposes). Both sides of the PCB 40 and the flat surface may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal/Y-direction of the pump assembly 10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first side 42 of the circuit board faces upward (from or about axis A) in a radial direction (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ); The circuit board 40 is oriented in the axis Y direction of the axis A of the pump assembly 10 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal portion, surface, or face of the circuit board/PCB 40 is axially aligned with the drive shaft 32 on the same axis (axis A). As is generally known in the art, a number of components (sensors, etc.) may be mounted on the circuit board 40 to communicate information so that the ECU/controller 26 can control the components of the pump assembly. have. 3 and 4, the circuit board 40 is longitudinally disposed (along axis A) in the housing 18 and the shaft (shaft 32 and pump drive shaft, and other components By arranging them in axial alignment relationship with the poles, the area occupied by the components in the assembly is reduced, allowing improvement of the cooling efficiency of the electrical components included therein.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the ECU also includes a 3D rotation sensor 44 . When the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed on the circuit board 40 , this allows the ECU to determine, measure, or sense features in all three axes (as described above). The face of the 3D rotation sensor 44 is mounted on the face of the PCB/circuit board 40 for sensing and detection and placed in the pump assembly 10. 40) and arranged to be parallel to the plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the 3D rotation sensor 44 is mounted on the first side 42 of the circuit board 40 . That is, in one embodiment, the face of the 3D rotation sensor 44 is parallel to the top face 42 of the PCB/circuit board 40 . However, in other embodiments, the 3D rotation sensor 44 may be mounted in a similar orientation on the bottom second side 43 or the second side of the circuit board 40 . Thus, by placing the 3D rotation sensor 44 in the pump assembly 10 (eg, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 ), in a single axis (x-axis) or in the axial direction or in the x-y direction Rather than being limited to sensing along an axis, readings along the y-z axis, the x-z axis, or a combination thereof are possible in addition to readings using the x-y axis. Thus, as described herein, the 3D rotation sensor 44 (or its body) is disposed on the circuit board 40 , notwithstanding the movement of the object (eg, drive shaft 32 or motor shaft). The angular position may be measured or sensed. The 3D rotation sensor 44 itself has a front side 46 disposed parallel to the first side 40 of the circuit board 40 when the 3D rotation sensor is mounted on the circuit board, and thus the front side ( 46) is also radially oriented (see eg FIG. 5). In this embodiment, for output to the controller 26 during use of the pump assembly 10 , the 3D rotation sensor 44 generates motion parallel to its front face 46 and its It is configured to detect at least movement in a plane perpendicular to the front surface 46 . Since the 3D rotation sensor 44 can detect motion in a plane perpendicular to it, it can also detect the (y-z) rotational motion of the motor/pump elements next to it, even in the aforementioned orientation.

According to the illustrated embodiment of the pump assembly 10 , the 3D rotation sensor 44 is configured to detect rotation of the motor shaft, ie, rotation of the drive shaft 32 . In one embodiment, in order to detect the angular position of the shaft, the drive shaft 32 has a magnet 50 fixedly attached to or near its end, such that the magnet 50 moves along the axis A. It rotates with the drive shaft 32 around. Accordingly, the ECU can act as a field oriented controller that detects a magnetic field from the magnet 50 . More specifically, the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed relative to the magnet 50 on the circuit board 40 so that a magnetic field from the magnet is detected, resulting in the angular position of the shaft ( And the rotation speed of the shaft) can be determined accordingly. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the 3D rotation sensor 44 may be mounted on the face 42 of the circuit board at or near the end of the circuit board 40 and adjacent the motor 28 . It can be provided in the form of a sensor chip that can be used, as a result of which the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed closer to the motor 28 , the drive shaft 32 and the associated magnet 50 . Providing the 3D rotation sensor 44 at or near the end of the circuit board 40 allows for closer placement relative to the motor/drive shaft/magnet, thus allowing for more accurate reading(s).

Limiting the distance between the 3D rotation sensor 44 and the magnet 50 within the housing/assembly may contribute to increased accuracy with respect to determining the rotation speed of the pump. In one embodiment, the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed between about 2 mm and about 4 mm (including both thresholds) relative to or from the magnet 50 . Of course, the above distances are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting.

Specifically, it should be noted that the illustrated embodiments are not intended to be limiting. The 3D rotation sensor 44 may be disposed in any number of locations on the circuit board 40 , including on the opposite side (side 43 ) of the circuit board.

The magnet 50 may be a two-pole magnet mounted to the shaft 32 and disposed to face the controller housing 18 . Accordingly, the 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect the rotation of the dipole magnet via its magnetic field, which in turn can be used by the controller to determine (via an algorithm/calculation) the rotational motion of the drive shaft. However, the 3D rotation sensor 44 can sense any type of magnet moving in its surrounding environment, and is not intended to be limited to the examples mentioned above. Also, as further described below, the 3D rotation sensor 44 may be used to sense a magnet mounted on a shaft or other element associated with the pump 22 itself.

Accordingly, the assemblies disclosed herein provide a method of sensing the rotational motion of a pump in a pump assembly by using a 3D rotational sensor. Based on the readings from the 3D rotation sensor 44 and the output determined by the ECU, a portion of the pump assembly 10 may be controlled via the controller 26 . In one embodiment, during operation, the electric motor 28 is driven using the controller 26 , ie the controller 26 drives the drive shaft 32 and the motor 28 . In the illustrated embodiment, by driving the drive shaft 32 , the pump 22 is driven. Fluid enters through the assembly inlet of the pump assembly and into the inlet of the pump 22 . The introduced fluid is pressurized using a pump 22 . As the pump operates, the 3D rotation sensor detects the rotational motion of the pump 22 through detecting the motion of the magnet/motor/drive shaft. The detection or reading from the 3D rotation sensor 44 is used by the ECU/controller 26 to determine any adjustments to the pump assembly 10 . In one embodiment, the speed of the electric motor 28 is controlled based on detection by the 3D rotation sensor 44 . Pressurized fluid from the pump 22 is discharged through the assembly outlet.

In other embodiments, a portion of the pump 22 may be controlled based on detection and sensing by the 3D rotation sensor 44 ; That is, the 3D rotation sensor 44 and the PCB/controller may be placed adjacent to and relative to the pump (and its drive shaft) and configured for detection corresponding to the pump. 6 shows a pump, which may include a controller 26A provided in a housing 18A with a motor 28A and a pump 22A in respective casings and housings 30A, 24A next to it. An example of the arrangement configuration of the assembly 10 is shown. The pump assembly 10A may have components similar to those already described above in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 2-5 , so that all of the above features are repeated herein. it doesn't have to be However, it should be understood that these features described with reference to the pump assembly 10 of FIGS. 2-5 may be included in the pump assembly 10A. For example, the pump assembly 10A may include an assembly inlet (not shown) for introducing a fluid (eg, oil or transmission fluid), such as a lubricant, etc., and a fluid, ie, pressurized by a pump 22A contained therein. and an assembly outlet (not shown) for discharging fluid. In one embodiment, the direction of flow to and/or from the assembly inlet may be perpendicular to the entire axial length of the pump assembly 10 . For example, either or both the inlet and/or outlet may be disposed in and along the Z-axis.

7 shows a circuit board 40A of an ECU of at least one controller 26A mounted relative to a pump 22A, eg, as in the pump assembly 10A of FIG. 6 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. ) is a detailed view. Here, the controller 26 (in particular its 3D rotation sensor) controls the pump 22A (eg, via detecting rotation of the pump drive shaft, which may or may not be the same as the motor drive shaft) and / or constructed and arranged to actuate. Although the controller/circuit board and housing for the pump are not explicitly shown here, the pump 22A can be configured with its components (eg, pump drive shaft, vanes/rotors/gears) as shown in FIG. 6 . , control slides, etc.) may be housed in a separate housing 24A therein. Similarly, circuit board 40A may be part of the housing of pump 22A or contained in an enclosure connected to the housing of the pump (eg, via fasteners or bolts) or in housing 18A (see FIG. 6 ). have.

As shown in FIG. 6 , on the opposite side of the pump 22A, for example, in the motor casing 30A, a motor 28A may be provided. Thus, in one embodiment, the pump assembly 10A may include a pump 22A flanked by a controller 26A and a motor 28A on either side thereof. However, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6 is not intended to be limiting.

As with the embodiments described above, the PCB/circuit board 40A of the controller 26A has a first side 42 (or first side) and a second side 43 for mounting electrical components thereon. a second side opposite the first side 42], each side having a substantially flat surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board 40A is of the pump assembly 10 such that the first side 42 of the circuit board faces radially upward (from or with respect to the axis A2 ). It is oriented in the axial direction (Y-direction) of the axis A2. Both sides of the PCB and the flat surface may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal/Y-direction of the pump assembly 10A. Further, as schematically shown in Fig. 7, the circuit board 40 is aligned longitudinally (axis A, or Y-direction or Y-axis) and axially with shaft 32A of pump 22A. By arranging in relation to each other, the area occupied by the components is reduced and an improvement in the cooling efficiency of the electrical components is allowed. In one embodiment, the longitudinal portion, surface, or face of the circuit board/PCB 40A is axially aligned with the drive shaft 32A on the same axis (axis A). The 3D rotation sensor 44 may be mounted on the first side 42 (or the second side 43 ) of the circuit board 40A. When the 3D rotation sensor is mounted on a circuit board, the front side 46 of the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed parallel to the mating surface of the circuit board 40A, so that the front side 46 is also radially is heading towards

As noted above, in accordance with one embodiment, the orientation of circuit board 40A may be relative to drive shaft 32A of pump itself 22A, and thus of drive shaft 32A of pump 22A. The speed/pump shaft rotation may be determined via a 3D rotation sensor 44 and a controller. A magnet 50A (eg, a two-pole magnet) fixedly attached on or near an end of the drive shaft 32A such that the magnet 50A rotates with the drive shaft 32A about an axis A2. ), the 3D rotation sensor 44 can detect the pump shaft rotation. Accordingly, the ECU can act as a magnetic flux reference controller that detects a magnetic field from the magnet 50A. Thus, the 3D rotation sensor 44 enables readings in the y-z axis, the x-z axis, or a combination thereof, as well as readings using the x-y axis. In this embodiment, in order to output to the controller 26 during use of the pump, the 3D rotation sensor 44 makes a movement parallel to its front surface 46 and its front surface 46 including the rotational motion of the pump. It is configured to detect at least movement in a plane perpendicular to .

Since the 3D rotation sensor 44 can sense motion in a plane perpendicular to it, it can detect the (y-z) rotational motion of the pump elements next to it in the orientation described above. Thus, even though the 3D rotation sensor 44 (or its body) is disposed on the circuit board 40 , the angular position of an object (eg, the drive shaft 32A) can be measured or sensed. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller or ECU may be configured to control the operation or rotation of the drive shaft 32A of the pump 22A and sense characteristics (rotation, speed) of the drive shaft 32A. However, the 3D rotation sensor need not be limited to being disposed adjacent to the drive shaft 32A. For example, in other embodiments, the ECU/controller and sensors 44 associated with pump 22A sense the position of the control slide within pump 22A and/or change the position of the control slide (eg, For example, lower), it can be used to alter the outflow of pressurized fluid. Accordingly, it should be understood that the readings from the 3D rotation sensor 44 may be used by the controller/ECU to control any number of parts of the pump 22A.

Accordingly, the assemblies disclosed herein provide a method of sensing rotational motion of a pump on one or more axes by using a 3D rotational sensor and controller (ECU). The controller is an ECU comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) extending in the axial direction (along the y-axis) of the pump and/or the pump assembly. Fluid enters through the inlet of pump 22A. The introduced fluid is pressurized using the pump 22A. As the pump operates, the 3D rotation sensor detects the rotational motion of the pump 22A via detecting the motion of the magnet 50A/drive shaft. Based on the readings from the 3D rotation sensor 44 and the calculated values determined by the ECU, a portion of the pump 22A can be controlled via the controller. In one embodiment, during operation, drive shaft 32A of pump 22A is driven using a controller. In other embodiments, the controller may change the position of the slide within the pump housing such that the amount of displacement through the pump outlet is changed. Pressurized fluid from pump 22A is discharged through the outlet of the pump.

The type of the pump 22A of FIGS. 6 and 7 provided in the pump assembly 10 and the parts thereof are not limited. According to one embodiment, pump 22A has a gerotor drive having an inner rotor and an outer rotor. The inner rotor is fixedly fixed to the drive shaft 32 to rotate about the axis A together with the drive shaft 32 . In another embodiment, the pump 22A includes a plurality of vanes therein and rotates within the housing about a rotor and a pin between the first and second slide positions to adjust the displacement of the pump through the outlet. or variable vane pumps with a pivoting control slide. Drive shaft 32A may be configured to drive a rotor of a pump, for example.

It is also noteworthy that limiting the distance between the 3D rotation sensor 44 and the magnet 50A may contribute to increased accuracy with respect to determining the rotation speed of the pump. In one embodiment, the 3D rotation sensor 44 is disposed between about 2 mm and about 4 mm (including both thresholds) relative to or from the magnet 50A. Of course, the above distances are exemplary only and are not intended to be limiting.

The combination of the circuit board 40 and the 3D rotation sensor 44 in the illustrated embodiments disclosed herein obviates the previous multi-board connection risk and provides for a smaller overall packaging with respect to the controller part. The 3D rotation sensor 44 also increases the freedom of choice for its orientation on the PCB/circuit board 40 (as opposed to its front side 46 being mounted directly in front of the shaft). This also allows for increased design flexibility for the components of the pump assembly and improved mounting to the shaft/magnet being detected. The 3D rotation sensor provides the enhanced advantage of detecting motion about a third axis. In particular, although detection in the axial direction (eg, the y-axis) is relatively or generally zero, the 3D rotation sensor allows detection in the X and Z axes to determine the rotational motion of the pump.

Additionally, by using a 3D rotation sensor, optimum cooling of the circuit board and controller components is maintained/allowed. This allows the circuit board 40 to maintain its orientation such that the circuit board on which the 3D rotation sensor is placed is axially positioned within the housing, thereby maximizing heat dissipation. However, by mounting the 3D rotation sensor on the side of the circuit board, detection of motion in three axes is allowed. Also, by mounting the 3D rotation sensor to the side of the circuit board, the chip/sensor itself, including exposure to heat (compared to conventional mounting that requires mounting vertically in and directly in front of the object being detected), the risk of damage to the target is reduced, otherwise limited to no risk of damage.

Electrical components can be developed independent of the pump configuration. Also, the cost is reduced because the additional sensor(s), additional circuit boards, wiring, and assembly (time) typically provided in conventional systems are reduced or eliminated in the pump assembly 10 disclosed herein.

The type and manufacturer of the 3D rotation sensor 44 is not intended to be limiting. 2 is a schematic diagram of exemplary components that may be used for the sensor 44 in the disclosed pump assembly 10 . In one embodiment, the 3D rotation sensor 44 is a monolithic sensor sensitive to magnetic flux density applied perpendicularly and parallel to its surface, thus contacting the magnetic flux density in three directions (x, y and z). It provides the ability to detect without The 3D rotation sensor 44 can detect any magnet moving in its environment by measuring and processing the three spatial components of the magnetic flux density vector.

In one embodiment, the signal processing of the μC/microcontroller (corresponding to the PCB/controller 40 ) shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to acquire SIN and COS analog information via the 3D rotation sensor 44 . For example, in accordance with one embodiment, the controller 40 may be configured to handle any signal corrections for sensitivity mismatches and offsets to compensate for non-ideal magnetic field angular components. For processing by an application module or other controller associated with pump assembly 10 and/or measurement by a demonstration board, angular position calculations (eg, arctangent interpolation) may be performed and a digital output signal (kHz PWM signal) may be performed. ) can be moved in parallel. Of course, it should be understood that this schematic is merely exemplary and is a non-limiting embodiment of processing using the disclosed 3D rotation sensor 44 and controller 40 .

The controller 26 (and optionally its PCB/board 40 ) includes other components including, but not limited to, integrated LIN inductors and other sensors (eg, temperature sensors) mounted thereon. can do. The controller 26 may be electrically coupled to a power source (eg, a battery) via, for example, a local interconnection network (LIN) bus interface. Also, typically positive and negative power connectors can also be overmolded into the controller cover.

By using a 3D rotation sensor as disclosed herein (as opposed to using two or more circuit boards mounted perpendicular to each other to detect the motion of the shaft, as described above), It is permissible to use a single controller circuit board for the detection of the rotation of the shaft. However, it should be understood that other controller boards may be used in the assembly or associated with the pump to control operation of the pump.

Also, the 3D rotation sensor 44 as described above and illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5 is associated with the magnet 50/drive shaft 32/motor 28 in the pump assembly 10 . Although configured to detect motion, depending on the placement and alignment of the controller 26 , the motor 28 and the pump 22 in the assembly 10 , the ECU causes other parts of the assembly, including the parts of the pump 22 . It is worth noting that it is possible to detect or sense features associated with the . For example, if the assembly includes a controller with a motor and a pump next to it, as shown in Figures 6-7, the ECU's 3D rotation sensor is or may be arranged to detect rotation of the pump shaft or the drive shaft of the motor 28 ).

In some embodiments, a plane transverse to the first face 42 of the PCB/circuit board 40 and/or 40A is aligned with the axis A and/or A2 of the drive shaft(s) of the pump and/or motor. placed in a relationship In one embodiment, the PCB is mounted on the housing 18 such that it is parallel to the axis A and/or A2 of the drive shaft of the pump 18 (which may be the drive shafts 32 , 32A or other shaft driven by the shaft). and/or 18A).

While the principles herein have been made apparent in the exemplary embodiments presented above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be practiced in the structure, arrangement, proportions, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the disclosure.

Accordingly, the features herein will be found to be fully and effectively achieved. It will be appreciated, however, that the specific preferred embodiments described above have been shown and described for purposes of illustration of the functional and structural principles herein, and that changes may be made without departing from these principles. Accordingly, this application includes all modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (23)

As a pump assembly:
A pump having a pump housing, comprising: a pump having an inlet for receiving an inlet fluid, a pump outlet for discharging pressurized fluid, and a drive shaft for driving components of the pump to pressurize the inlet fluid for outlet from the pump housing;
an electric motor configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump;
a controller configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump, the controller comprising a circuit board having a first side thereon for mounting an electrical component, the circuit board having a first side oriented in a radial direction a controller oriented in the axial direction of the pump so as to
a magnet fixedly attached to the rotatable element of one of the pump or the electric motor for rotation with the rotatable element of the one of the pump or the electric motor; and
A 3D rotation sensor mounted on a first side of the circuit board, the 3D rotation sensor including a front side, the front side, the front side of the 3D rotation sensor also facing the radial direction on the first side of the circuit board disposed in parallel, the 3D rotation sensor detects both (a) motion parallel to its front surface and (b) motion in a plane perpendicular to its front surface, including rotational motion of the pump, a 3D rotation sensor configured to output to a controller
including,
The 3D rotation sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the magnet and spaced apart from the magnet along an axis of rotation of the magnet to detect rotational motion of the magnet in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the 3D rotation sensor, thereby the angle of the rotatable element. the pump assembly being positioned. The electric motor as recited in claim 1, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a motor drive shaft for the electric motor, the electric motor coupled to the pump, the motor drive shaft configured to be driven about an axis, and and the motor is configured to drive the drive shaft of the pump via the motor drive shaft. 3. The motor drive shaft of the electric motor and the drive shaft of the pump are identical in that a single shaft extends from the electric motor to the pump for rotation about the axis, and and the axis is parallel to the circuit board. The drive shaft of claim 1 , wherein the 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect a rotational motion of a drive shaft of the pump, and the controller is configured to adjust a speed at which the drive shaft of the pump is driven based on the detection. the pump assembly. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnet is a two-pole magnet, the drive shaft of the pump is equipped with the two-pole magnet, and based on the detected rotation, the controller is configured to determine the rotational operation of the drive shaft of the pump. , wherein the 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect rotation of the dipole magnet. According to claim 2, wherein the magnet is a two-pole magnet, the motor drive shaft of the electric motor is mounted with the two-pole magnet, the 3D rotation sensor, the 3D rotation sensor is the electric motor, the motor drive shaft and mounted in the vicinity of the electric motor, at or near the end of the circuit board, so as to be disposed closer to the associated dipole magnet, the controller based on the detected rotation causes the motor drive shaft of the electric motor the 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect rotation of the two-pole magnet, and the controller is configured to adjust, based on the detection, a speed for driving a motor drive shaft of the electric motor The pump assembly that is supposed to be. The pump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller and the pump are next to the electric motor in the pump assembly. The pump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the controller and the electric motor are next to the pump in the pump assembly. As a pump assembly:
an assembly inlet for introducing a fluid;
an assembly outlet for discharging fluid;
an electric motor housed within the motor casing;
A pump having a pump housing, comprising: a pump having an inlet for receiving an inlet fluid from the assembly inlet and a pump outlet for discharging pressurized fluid;
a drive shaft connecting the electric motor to the pump, the drive shaft being driven axially by the electric motor to drive parts of the pump to pressurize the incoming fluid for outflow from the pump housing a drive shaft comprising;
a controller configured to drive the electric motor, wherein the pump and the electric motor are axially aligned with the controller, the controller comprising a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a first for mounting an electrical component thereon a controller having one side, wherein the circuit board is oriented in an axial direction of the pump assembly such that the circuit board is radially oriented;
a magnet fixedly attached to the rotatable element of one of the pump or the electric motor for rotation with the rotatable element of the one of the pump or the electric motor; and
A 3D rotation sensor mounted on the circuit board, wherein the 3D rotation sensor includes a front side, the front side is disposed parallel to the circuit board so that the front side of the 3D rotation sensor also faces the radial direction, the 3D rotation sensor wherein the sensor is configured to detect and output to the controller both (a) movement parallel to its front surface and (b) movement in a plane perpendicular to its front surface, including rotational motion of the pump. rotation sensor; and
an outlet passage communicating the pump outlet with the assembly outlet to discharge the pressurized fluid
including,
The 3D rotation sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the magnet and spaced apart from the magnet along an axis of rotation of the magnet to detect rotational motion of the magnet in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the 3D rotation sensor, thereby the angle of the rotatable element. the pump assembly being positioned. 10. The 3D rotation of claim 9, wherein the magnet is a two-pole magnet, the drive shaft is equipped with the two-pole magnet, and the controller determines a rotational operation of the drive shaft based on the detected rotation. a sensor is configured to detect rotation of the dipole magnet, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust a speed at which the drive shaft is driven based on the detection. 10. The pump assembly of claim 9, wherein the controller and the pump are next to the electric motor in the pump assembly. 10. The pump assembly of claim 9, wherein the controller and the electric motor are next to the pump in the pump assembly. A method of detecting rotational motion of a pump in a pump assembly, the pump assembly comprising: a pump having a pump housing, the pump having an inlet for receiving an inlet fluid from the assembly inlet and a pump outlet for discharging pressurized fluid; a drive shaft for driving parts of the pump to pressurize the inlet fluid for outflow from the pump housing; an electric motor configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump; a controller configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump, the controller comprising a circuit board, the circuit board having a first side thereon for mounting an electrical component, the circuit board having the first side a controller oriented in the axial direction of the pump to face this radial direction; a magnet fixedly attached to the rotatable element of one of the pump or the electric motor for rotation with the rotatable element of the one of the pump or the electric motor; and a 3D rotation sensor mounted on a first side of the circuit board, wherein the 3D rotation sensor includes a front surface, and the front surface is disposed parallel to the circuit board so that the front surface of the 3D rotation sensor also faces the radial direction and the 3D rotation sensor detects both (a) a motion parallel to the front side and (b) a motion in a plane perpendicular to the front side, including the rotational motion of the pump, and outputs it to the controller a 3D rotation sensor configured to; The method is:
driving the drive shaft;
introducing a fluid into the inlet of the pump;
pressurizing the inlet fluid using the pump;
detecting, through the 3D rotation sensor, a rotational operation of the drive shaft of the pump;
based on detection at the 3D rotation sensor, using the controller to control pump outflow; and
discharging the pressurized fluid through the outlet.
including,
The 3D rotation sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the magnet and spaced apart from the magnet along an axis of rotation of the magnet to detect rotational motion of the magnet in a plane perpendicular to the front face of the 3D rotation sensor, thereby the angle of the rotatable element. How the location is determined. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the magnet is a two-pole magnet, the pump assembly further comprises the two-pole magnet mounted on the drive shaft of the pump, and the detecting through the 3D rotation sensor comprises: and detecting rotation of the dipole magnet such that the controller determines a rotational operation of the drive shaft based on the rotation. 14. The electric motor of claim 13, wherein the pump assembly further comprises a motor drive shaft of the electric motor, the electric motor coupled to the pump, the motor drive shaft configured to be driven about an axis, the electric motor is configured to drive a drive shaft of the pump via the motor drive shaft, the method comprising:
driving the electric motor using the controller; and
driving the motor drive shaft;
wherein detecting via the 3D rotation sensor comprises detecting rotation of the motor drive shaft such that the controller determines a rotational operation of the pump based on the detected rotation. 16. The motor drive shaft of claim 15, wherein the motor drive shaft of the electric motor and the drive shaft of the pump are identical in that a single shaft extends from the electric motor to the pump for rotation about the axis, and and the axis is parallel to the circuit board. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling the pump outflow comprises adjusting the speed at which a drive shaft of the pump is driven based on detecting via the 3D rotation sensor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the magnet is a two-pole magnet, the motor drive shaft of the electric motor is equipped with the two-pole magnet, the 3D rotation sensor, the 3D rotation sensor comprises the electric motor, the motor drive shaft and mounted in the vicinity of the electric motor, at or near the end of the circuit board, so as to be disposed closer to its associated dipole magnet, the controller based on the detected rotation of the drive shaft of the electric motor and the 3D rotation sensor is configured to detect rotation of the dipole magnet to determine rotational motion. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein controlling the pump outflow comprises adjusting the speed at which a drive shaft of the electric motor is driven based on detecting via the 3D rotation sensor. The pump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the circuit board is aligned with the rotatable element such that a plane transverse to the first side of the circuit board is axially aligned with an axis for rotation of the rotatable element. . The pump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the 3D sensor is disposed between about 2 mm and 4 mm relative to the magnet. The pump assembly of claim 1 , wherein the angular position of the rotatable element is determined through a controller that acquires SIN and COS analog information through the 3D rotation sensor and processes the information. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling using the controller comprises obtaining SIN and COS analog information via the 3D rotation sensor and determining the angular position of the rotatable element via a controller that processes the information. how it is.

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